Excerpted published obituary-Huntsville Times, The (AL) - Thursday, September 22, 2011
June 30, 1948 - Sept. 21, 2011
Lydia Jean Talmadge Cosumano, 63, of Huntsville passed away Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Norfolk, Va., the daughter of a World War II Navy veteran, James "Butch" Buford, and homemaker, Jeanie. After her dad completed military service, they moved to Texas and then Louisiana, where he owned and operated horse ranches and farms. They settled in Natchitoches, La., where her father operated the dairy for Northwestern State University.
Lydia grew up in rural Texas and Louisiana, learning how to cook and care for animals. She appeared many times on local TV with the "Etma Odom Show," an early version of Martha Stewart, demonstrating how to properly cut chicken and how to bake her famous pies. In 1966, she attended Northwestern State University, majoring in special education speech therapy. It was there she met her husband, Joe, who was in ROTC. They married in 1968. After he graduated from graduate school in 1970, he entered the Army, active duty, and Lydia became a lifelong Army spouse and volunteer. She travelled the world with Joe on his assignments, with three tours overseas in Germany in the '70s, '80s and '90s. She had two daughters, Deanna, born in Nurenberg, Germany, and Leah, born in El Paso, Texas. They moved 33 times while in the Army. Lydia became a pro at quickly establishing the home and making friends. She was always seeking ways to better the community, whether it was an Army post or a civilian town. Everywhere she went she volunteered and worked with soldiers and families. Her activities ranged from "Welcome Wagon" representative for the City of El Paso and Ft. Bliss to the Army's first recognized volunteer coordinator at Fort Polk, La., a job she also did in Darmstadt and Kaiserslaughtern, Germany. While stationed in Huntsville for the first time in the '70s, Lydia taught junior high youth at the Redstone Arsenal Chapel. Throughout the years, Lydia could always be found volunteering at church or on the board of one of various post or community activities, such as Red Cross or Girl Scouts.
While in Washington in May 2000, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This would change her world forever but not her spirit. After a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation, Lydia put her energy into finding ways to improve awareness, detection and cure for breast cancer. Her husband was a General now and she sought ways to use that platform to help others. First, she was taken aback that Walter Reed Army Medical Center didn't have a breast care center. She, along with Dr. Craig Shriver and others, worked with Rep. Murtha of Pennsylvania to seek funding from Congress and in July 2001 they opened the Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Walter Reed. Lydia volunteered there often, telling others of her experiences and encouraging them. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, she organized the Army Team in Washington that raised funds and participated in the annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. These annual events culminated the yearlong list of activities that she volunteered for. Everywhere Joe and she travelled, she was sought after for her testimony about her battle with cancer.
She never stopped. Joe was the Army's Space and Missile Defense Commander and he had research and development labs under Jesse Granone in Huntsville. Mr. Granone had sophisticated algorithms to pick targets out of clutter with radars. One day at a social, Lydia got Jesse Granone with Dr. Shriver from Walter Reed, which led to breast cancer research using those algorithms for detection of lumps.
Joe retired in 2004 from the Army and they set roots in Washington, initially to be close to the grandkids. In December 2008, Joe and Lydia moved to Huntsville, to set up their final home. After only five months, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She continued to fight for a cure, participating in local fundraising events.
Survivors include her husband, retired LTG Joe Cosumano of Huntsville; a daughter in Vienna, Va., and a daughter in Springfield, Va.; brothers, Robert E. Talmadge of Vero Beach, Fla., and James E. Talmadge of Natchitoches; stepfather, James Morris of Natchitoches; and grandchildren, Joseph Vouvakis, Chloe Vouvakis and Perla Lydia Romero.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Baptist Church with Pastor Marty Jordan officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Russell Hill Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 18428, Huntsville, AL 35804.
June 30, 1948 - Sept. 21, 2011
Lydia Jean Talmadge Cosumano, 63, of Huntsville passed away Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Norfolk, Va., the daughter of a World War II Navy veteran, James "Butch" Buford, and homemaker, Jeanie. After her dad completed military service, they moved to Texas and then Louisiana, where he owned and operated horse ranches and farms. They settled in Natchitoches, La., where her father operated the dairy for Northwestern State University.
Lydia grew up in rural Texas and Louisiana, learning how to cook and care for animals. She appeared many times on local TV with the "Etma Odom Show," an early version of Martha Stewart, demonstrating how to properly cut chicken and how to bake her famous pies. In 1966, she attended Northwestern State University, majoring in special education speech therapy. It was there she met her husband, Joe, who was in ROTC. They married in 1968. After he graduated from graduate school in 1970, he entered the Army, active duty, and Lydia became a lifelong Army spouse and volunteer. She travelled the world with Joe on his assignments, with three tours overseas in Germany in the '70s, '80s and '90s. She had two daughters, Deanna, born in Nurenberg, Germany, and Leah, born in El Paso, Texas. They moved 33 times while in the Army. Lydia became a pro at quickly establishing the home and making friends. She was always seeking ways to better the community, whether it was an Army post or a civilian town. Everywhere she went she volunteered and worked with soldiers and families. Her activities ranged from "Welcome Wagon" representative for the City of El Paso and Ft. Bliss to the Army's first recognized volunteer coordinator at Fort Polk, La., a job she also did in Darmstadt and Kaiserslaughtern, Germany. While stationed in Huntsville for the first time in the '70s, Lydia taught junior high youth at the Redstone Arsenal Chapel. Throughout the years, Lydia could always be found volunteering at church or on the board of one of various post or community activities, such as Red Cross or Girl Scouts.
While in Washington in May 2000, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This would change her world forever but not her spirit. After a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation, Lydia put her energy into finding ways to improve awareness, detection and cure for breast cancer. Her husband was a General now and she sought ways to use that platform to help others. First, she was taken aback that Walter Reed Army Medical Center didn't have a breast care center. She, along with Dr. Craig Shriver and others, worked with Rep. Murtha of Pennsylvania to seek funding from Congress and in July 2001 they opened the Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Walter Reed. Lydia volunteered there often, telling others of her experiences and encouraging them. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, she organized the Army Team in Washington that raised funds and participated in the annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. These annual events culminated the yearlong list of activities that she volunteered for. Everywhere Joe and she travelled, she was sought after for her testimony about her battle with cancer.
She never stopped. Joe was the Army's Space and Missile Defense Commander and he had research and development labs under Jesse Granone in Huntsville. Mr. Granone had sophisticated algorithms to pick targets out of clutter with radars. One day at a social, Lydia got Jesse Granone with Dr. Shriver from Walter Reed, which led to breast cancer research using those algorithms for detection of lumps.
Joe retired in 2004 from the Army and they set roots in Washington, initially to be close to the grandkids. In December 2008, Joe and Lydia moved to Huntsville, to set up their final home. After only five months, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She continued to fight for a cure, participating in local fundraising events.
Survivors include her husband, retired LTG Joe Cosumano of Huntsville; a daughter in Vienna, Va., and a daughter in Springfield, Va.; brothers, Robert E. Talmadge of Vero Beach, Fla., and James E. Talmadge of Natchitoches; stepfather, James Morris of Natchitoches; and grandchildren, Joseph Vouvakis, Chloe Vouvakis and Perla Lydia Romero.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Baptist Church with Pastor Marty Jordan officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Russell Hill Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 18428, Huntsville, AL 35804.
Excerpted published obituary-Huntsville Times, The (AL) - Thursday, September 22, 2011
June 30, 1948 - Sept. 21, 2011
Lydia Jean Talmadge Cosumano, 63, of Huntsville passed away Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Norfolk, Va., the daughter of a World War II Navy veteran, James "Butch" Buford, and homemaker, Jeanie. After her dad completed military service, they moved to Texas and then Louisiana, where he owned and operated horse ranches and farms. They settled in Natchitoches, La., where her father operated the dairy for Northwestern State University.
Lydia grew up in rural Texas and Louisiana, learning how to cook and care for animals. She appeared many times on local TV with the "Etma Odom Show," an early version of Martha Stewart, demonstrating how to properly cut chicken and how to bake her famous pies. In 1966, she attended Northwestern State University, majoring in special education speech therapy. It was there she met her husband, Joe, who was in ROTC. They married in 1968. After he graduated from graduate school in 1970, he entered the Army, active duty, and Lydia became a lifelong Army spouse and volunteer. She travelled the world with Joe on his assignments, with three tours overseas in Germany in the '70s, '80s and '90s. She had two daughters, Deanna, born in Nurenberg, Germany, and Leah, born in El Paso, Texas. They moved 33 times while in the Army. Lydia became a pro at quickly establishing the home and making friends. She was always seeking ways to better the community, whether it was an Army post or a civilian town. Everywhere she went she volunteered and worked with soldiers and families. Her activities ranged from "Welcome Wagon" representative for the City of El Paso and Ft. Bliss to the Army's first recognized volunteer coordinator at Fort Polk, La., a job she also did in Darmstadt and Kaiserslaughtern, Germany. While stationed in Huntsville for the first time in the '70s, Lydia taught junior high youth at the Redstone Arsenal Chapel. Throughout the years, Lydia could always be found volunteering at church or on the board of one of various post or community activities, such as Red Cross or Girl Scouts.
While in Washington in May 2000, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This would change her world forever but not her spirit. After a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation, Lydia put her energy into finding ways to improve awareness, detection and cure for breast cancer. Her husband was a General now and she sought ways to use that platform to help others. First, she was taken aback that Walter Reed Army Medical Center didn't have a breast care center. She, along with Dr. Craig Shriver and others, worked with Rep. Murtha of Pennsylvania to seek funding from Congress and in July 2001 they opened the Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Walter Reed. Lydia volunteered there often, telling others of her experiences and encouraging them. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, she organized the Army Team in Washington that raised funds and participated in the annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. These annual events culminated the yearlong list of activities that she volunteered for. Everywhere Joe and she travelled, she was sought after for her testimony about her battle with cancer.
She never stopped. Joe was the Army's Space and Missile Defense Commander and he had research and development labs under Jesse Granone in Huntsville. Mr. Granone had sophisticated algorithms to pick targets out of clutter with radars. One day at a social, Lydia got Jesse Granone with Dr. Shriver from Walter Reed, which led to breast cancer research using those algorithms for detection of lumps.
Joe retired in 2004 from the Army and they set roots in Washington, initially to be close to the grandkids. In December 2008, Joe and Lydia moved to Huntsville, to set up their final home. After only five months, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She continued to fight for a cure, participating in local fundraising events.
Survivors include her husband, retired LTG Joe Cosumano of Huntsville; a daughter in Vienna, Va., and a daughter in Springfield, Va.; brothers, Robert E. Talmadge of Vero Beach, Fla., and James E. Talmadge of Natchitoches; stepfather, James Morris of Natchitoches; and grandchildren, Joseph Vouvakis, Chloe Vouvakis and Perla Lydia Romero.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Baptist Church with Pastor Marty Jordan officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Russell Hill Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 18428, Huntsville, AL 35804.
June 30, 1948 - Sept. 21, 2011
Lydia Jean Talmadge Cosumano, 63, of Huntsville passed away Wednesday after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was born in Norfolk, Va., the daughter of a World War II Navy veteran, James "Butch" Buford, and homemaker, Jeanie. After her dad completed military service, they moved to Texas and then Louisiana, where he owned and operated horse ranches and farms. They settled in Natchitoches, La., where her father operated the dairy for Northwestern State University.
Lydia grew up in rural Texas and Louisiana, learning how to cook and care for animals. She appeared many times on local TV with the "Etma Odom Show," an early version of Martha Stewart, demonstrating how to properly cut chicken and how to bake her famous pies. In 1966, she attended Northwestern State University, majoring in special education speech therapy. It was there she met her husband, Joe, who was in ROTC. They married in 1968. After he graduated from graduate school in 1970, he entered the Army, active duty, and Lydia became a lifelong Army spouse and volunteer. She travelled the world with Joe on his assignments, with three tours overseas in Germany in the '70s, '80s and '90s. She had two daughters, Deanna, born in Nurenberg, Germany, and Leah, born in El Paso, Texas. They moved 33 times while in the Army. Lydia became a pro at quickly establishing the home and making friends. She was always seeking ways to better the community, whether it was an Army post or a civilian town. Everywhere she went she volunteered and worked with soldiers and families. Her activities ranged from "Welcome Wagon" representative for the City of El Paso and Ft. Bliss to the Army's first recognized volunteer coordinator at Fort Polk, La., a job she also did in Darmstadt and Kaiserslaughtern, Germany. While stationed in Huntsville for the first time in the '70s, Lydia taught junior high youth at the Redstone Arsenal Chapel. Throughout the years, Lydia could always be found volunteering at church or on the board of one of various post or community activities, such as Red Cross or Girl Scouts.
While in Washington in May 2000, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This would change her world forever but not her spirit. After a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation, Lydia put her energy into finding ways to improve awareness, detection and cure for breast cancer. Her husband was a General now and she sought ways to use that platform to help others. First, she was taken aback that Walter Reed Army Medical Center didn't have a breast care center. She, along with Dr. Craig Shriver and others, worked with Rep. Murtha of Pennsylvania to seek funding from Congress and in July 2001 they opened the Comprehensive Breast Care Center at Walter Reed. Lydia volunteered there often, telling others of her experiences and encouraging them. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, she organized the Army Team in Washington that raised funds and participated in the annual Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure. These annual events culminated the yearlong list of activities that she volunteered for. Everywhere Joe and she travelled, she was sought after for her testimony about her battle with cancer.
She never stopped. Joe was the Army's Space and Missile Defense Commander and he had research and development labs under Jesse Granone in Huntsville. Mr. Granone had sophisticated algorithms to pick targets out of clutter with radars. One day at a social, Lydia got Jesse Granone with Dr. Shriver from Walter Reed, which led to breast cancer research using those algorithms for detection of lumps.
Joe retired in 2004 from the Army and they set roots in Washington, initially to be close to the grandkids. In December 2008, Joe and Lydia moved to Huntsville, to set up their final home. After only five months, Lydia was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She continued to fight for a cure, participating in local fundraising events.
Survivors include her husband, retired LTG Joe Cosumano of Huntsville; a daughter in Vienna, Va., and a daughter in Springfield, Va.; brothers, Robert E. Talmadge of Vero Beach, Fla., and James E. Talmadge of Natchitoches; stepfather, James Morris of Natchitoches; and grandchildren, Joseph Vouvakis, Chloe Vouvakis and Perla Lydia Romero.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Baptist Church with Pastor Marty Jordan officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Russell Hill Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 18428, Huntsville, AL 35804.
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Wife of
LTG Joseph M Cosumano, Jr
